Field of Dreams

Our house is set on the corner of the block with a pretty sizable front and side yard, but not a traditional backyard.  We need to carve out some outdoor living space for the 3 months of the year that it doesn't snow here.  This is a picture I took when we were trying to sell our swingset.  The view is from the property line facing the back of our house.

Dave gave the swingset to a teacher at his school and we're left with a pile of mulch.  Just outside the frame on the right side of this picture is our garage, which gives us one wall in place.  Now we have to come up with a plan to enclose this backyard nook. These pictures have been in my "dream" files for awhile.  I heart them because they feel like a living room that happens to be outside.

When I snap back to reality, I realize that we do not live in South Beach or Saint Tropez or anything resembling a tropic.  We live in a lovely little town with rules and government and building codes.  We're not allowed to build a fence or pour concrete within ten feet of our property line.  Hmmmm.  So that leaves these;

I kind of dig them.  They'd be cheaper and easier to maintain.  Something else I didn't know before being a homeowner is that the "pretty" side of the fence has to face the neighbors.  I'm down with that.  It seems courteous.  These firewood boxes look the same on both sides, which means less work for us;

We'll need to plant some greenery so it's not so hardcore woodsman.  I found out today that these beauties, called Pokewood, are native to Illinois.

 Shocking, yes?  I would also hang these DIY pendant lights because they're rustic and adorable;

I love dreaming up these grandiose plans just as it's too cold to actually do something.  Next year.